National Progressive Organizations Announce New Congressional Scorecard on Public Health, Environmental Issues

Scorecard Shows Whether Members of Congress Support Five Benchmark Bills Setting Standards for a Clean, Healthy Country

Washington, D.C. – A group of leading progressive advocacy and labor organizations today released a new congressional scorecard on public health and the environment. The scorecard, sponsored by National Nurses United, Food & Water Watch, and Progressive Democrats of America, shows which members of Congress have co-sponsored five key bills that would collectively ensure a strong, just future of public health and environmental protection in the United States.

“Every day, nurses work to heal patients whose illnesses and injuries result from inadequate public health and environmental protections, so we know the critical importance of co-sponsoring this congressional scorecard with Food & Water Watch and Progressive Democrats of America,” said Jean Ross, RN, co-president of National Nurses United. “These five bills are vitally important to ensure the health and safety of the American people and of our planet. We applaud those Members of Congress who have shown important leadership by co-sponsoring these bills.”

“In today’s tumultuous world, it is important for all Americans to know exactly who in Washington is standing up for our most essential needs: a clean, livable environment, quality universal healthcare, and a more just, equitable society for all. By advocating for bold solutions to our most pressing health and environmental problems, these 12 Congress members have shown they are public health and environmental champions in Washington,” said Food & Water Watch Executive Director Wenonah Hauter. “We’re proud to be working with National Nurses United and Progressive Democrats of America to help identify those in Congress that are forwarding a strong environmental and public health vision for our country.”

“The progressive and dynamic dozen Congressional members sponsoring all five of these critical bills understand the deep integration between access to health care, economic justice, clean water, and the health of our planet,” said Donna Smith, Executive Director, Progressive Democrats of America. “PDA invites people across the country to work to move their members to co-sponsor these critical bills and be environmental and public health champions.”

Back in the 1980's, then President Reagan's budget director David Stockman coined the phrase "strategic deficit" to describe the usefulness of creating long-term budgetary shortfalls to legitimize cutting programs that the 1% wanted to do away with. ... See more

About

The Robin Hood Tax is a tiny financial transaction tax on Wall Street (less than one half of 1%) that could generate $300 billion annually. It will kickstart the economy by funding College For All, creating jobs, and strengthening public services like healthcare, education, and infrastructure at home — while tackling AIDS, global health, poverty, and climate challenges around the world.